Correction to: Community Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening: A Prospective Cohort Study

Lung - The original version of this article contained an error in the usage of the term “false positive rate”. The intention of the authors in those instances was simply to compare the...     

螺旋CT扫描对周围型肺癌的诊断价值

目的 探讨螺旋CT扫描对周围型肺癌的诊断价值.方法 收集经螺旋CT扫描及病理证实的60例周围型肺癌,其中34例行增强CT扫描,对其CT影像学资料进行分析.结果 周围型肺癌的主要CT征象有:结节状、肿块状、斑片状、分叶征、毛刺征、支气管充气征或空泡征、胸膜凹陷征、血管集束征等.增强CT扫描周围型肺癌呈均匀或不均匀强化,CT值增幅约20～60 Hu,CT值增幅小于20 Hu则提示良性病变如结核球,CT值增幅大于60 Hu考虑炎性病变可能性大.结论 螺旋CT及增强CT扫描对周围型肺癌的诊断及鉴别诊断具有重要价值.     

Lung Cancer Screening Beyond Low-Dose Computed Tomography: The Role of Novel Biomarkers

Lung cancer is the most common and lethal malignancy in the world. The landmark National lung screening trial (NLST) showed a 20 % relative reduction in mortality in high-risk individuals with screening low-dose computed tomography. However, the poor specificity and low prevalence of lung cancer in the NLST provide major limitations to its widespread use. Furthermore, a lung nodule on CT scan requires a nuanced and individualized approach towards management. In this regard, advances in high through-put technology (molecular diagnostics, multi-gene chips, proteomics, and bronchoscopic techniques) have led to discovery of lung cancer biomarkers that have shown potential to complement the current screening standards. Early detection of lung cancer can be achieved by analysis of biomarkers from tissue samples within the respiratory tract such as sputum, saliva, nasal/bronchial airway epithelial cells and exhaled breath condensate or through peripheral biofluids such as blood, serum and urine. Autofluorescence bronchoscopy has been employed in research setting to identify pre-invasive lesions not identified on CT scan. Although these modalities are not yet commercially available in clinic setting, they will be available in the near future and clinicians who care for patients with lung cancer should be aware. In this review, we present up-to-date state of biomarker development, discuss their clinical relevance and predict their future role in lung cancer management.     

Urine Screening for Marijuana Among Methadone-Maintained Patients

Ninety-eight male patients on methadone maintenance treatment provided weekly urine screens for typical substances of abuse and periodic screens for 9-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Although different in some demographics and personality characteristics, patients who were THC-positive (THC+; n = 54, 55.1%) were no more likely to use other illicit drugs and showed similar treatment retention, employment, and cognitive function to those who were THC-negative. THC+ patients reported more marijuana use at admission. Marijuana use exhibits no apparent impact on methadone treatment outcome. Routine urine screening for THC in methadone programs is not currently justified.